3 March 2011

Global Solar Energy adds CTO to focus on BIPV

Global Solar Energy Inc of Tucson, AZ, USA, which manufactures copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic cells, has appointed Dr Urs Schoop as chief technology officer (CTO), leveraging his expertise in R&D on CIGS solar cell production in order to direct the execution of Global Solar's technology roadmap.

“Schoop’s position as Global Solar’s CTO will help launch the company to the next level of product development, and help us continue to be a technology innovator in the emerging BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaics) industry,” says president & CEO Dr Jeffrey Britt.

Since being founded in 1996, Global Solar has focused on incorporating its CIGS solar cells (made in two full-scale facilities in Tucson, AZ, USA and Berlin, Germany) into applications including lightweight portable solar chargers and traditional glass solar modules, but last August launched its PowerFLEX BIPV module for rooftops installations. “Schoop’s extensive experience in flexible thin-film solar and large-scale manufacturing is critical to advancing our engineering and technical capabilities,” he adds.

Previously, Schoop was director of Global Solar’s R&D department, where he helped the firm to improve cell efficiency, extend its long-term reliability, and uncover more cost-effective deposition techniques for cell production. Schoop also helped develop Global Solar’s manufacturing facility in Tucson, AZ.

“Global Solar is making major business and technological strides in renewable energy technology that improves flexible solar solutions and provides a BIPV backbone for the building and roofing industry,” says Schoop. “With Global Solar’s unique sustainable and flexible BIPV solutions for rooftops, we are at the cutting edge of the emerging BIPV era,” he reckons.

Prior to joining Global Solar, Schoop was a senior scientist with American Superconductor in Boston, MA, where he scaled processes and equipment from the R&D stage up to production for thin-film superconducting wire. He has been active in the thin-film industry and academia for more than 15 years.

See related items:

Emerging building-integrated photovoltaics market accelerates

Tags: Global Solar CIGS BIPV module

Visit: www.globalsolar.com

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